Connecticut western news., 1887-06-01
TEARS FOR THE DEAD! KIND WORDS
 FOR THE LIVING

Memorial day was appropriately oD- served at Canaan Valley and at Ashley Falls and Clayton, but for obvious req sons only condensed report of the ex- ercises can be published.
 David s Cowles Post No 60 G. A. R. first visited the cemetery at East Canaan. Here they were met by goodly num- ber of citizens and school children. The latter placed floral tributes on the nine soldiers graves in that cemetery. The Post then proceeded to the cemeteryInera Canaan Depot, where eight graves were decorated by the Sons of Veterans and Daughters of Veterans who accompan- jed the Post. We regret to state that no citizens were in waiting to receive the Post at this cemetery, or to manifest any gratitude for the liberty we enjoy which was purchased by the blood of those patriots who sleep beneath the sod. or by the sufferings and privations of the veterans who survive and who alone cherished @ soldiers memory suff- cient to decorate his grave.
 The Post next visited the old ceme- tery at Ashley Falls. Here they were received by largo number of citizens and by the school children. The latter decorated the seven graves in the old cemetery, and as the procession moved on toward Clayton a halt was made at the new cemetery in Ashley Falls, and two graves were decorated there.
 Arriving at Clayton the column found the citizens turned out cn-masse to re- ceive them. Miss Kittie Taft's Sunday school of 40 scholars stood in double file with large boquets in their hands. The Clayton brass band were also in waiting. A column soon formed and marched to the cemetery where two graves were soon hidden beneath the wealth of flow CTS placed upon them by the children, the band meanwhile playing America and Marching through Georgia"
 Leaving Clayton procession of g well-flled wagons, one containing B children, passed on to Canaan Valley where, to all appearances, the entire res idents had assembled to receive ths Post and those accompanying them. 4 procession was formed and the five sol diers graves literally covered with flow CTS, the children placing the boquets ol the graves. On the very summit of tn cemetery a large and beautiful flora mound had been erected in memory o the patriots who sleep in unknowl graves at the south. This beautiful mound of flowers, beautiful of itself, ant still more beautiful as an emblem o precious memories for the departed, wa increased in size by the addition of
 boquet deposited thereon by every vet eran present and by the children an others who had boquets remaining. A all of the cemeteries visited the GA. R ritual was read and prayer offered. A the conclusion of the services at tn Canaan Valley cemetery, all repaired t Elihu Donalds' beautiful grove, wher . most superb dinner had been genel ously provided by the ladies of Canaa Valley. Rev A. N. Benedict offere prayer, and then all partook of the feas spread before them, and which wa abundant enough for thrice the numbe although there were over 600 mer women and children present.
 After dinner, Adjutant VanDeuse read the general orders in regard to Me morial day. Commander Roberts req from the ritual. Miles B. Tobey deliy cred the address of welcome, and spok very tenderly and afectionately to tn veterans. Rev A. N Benedict, orator c the day, delivered an excellent oratior Although he arose from a sick bed fnafll his promise to be present Brief speeches were then mad by Revs H. G. Hoadley, E. E Barlow, G. F. Stark, and Messrs s. C Beckley, David Whittlesey. and Abel G Stevens, also by Past Commander Var Deusen, Commander Roberts, Chaplai HIP. Morse, and Comrades Michae Kane. J. NJ. Roys, and John Rodemey ar. Commander Roberts read letters C regret from the following persons wh were unable to be present, viz: Rev F " Barnett and Hon M. T. Granger Hs also read a poem written for tn 5. occasion by Hon M T Granger. The ban sthen played the following peices whlc e1he entire assembly joined in singing sss Auerica." sJohn Browns Body,
 rrantiug on the Old Camp Ground 'an'
 1aarchiuu through Georgia." Thre